guest blogger: Andy Thornton, president and founder of LaDifférence, Inc.
For La Diff the news of the earthquake yesterday, January 12th, is close to home in many ways. La Diff is celebrating our 30th anniversary this year and it was Haiti that spawned our creation in 1980. Our very name, LaDifférence, comes from Haiti’s national slogan – Haiti, Vive La Différence.
From 1978 – 1980 I lived in Port au Prince and created an export business handling handicrafts, artwork, rugs, and the like. We worked with hundreds of Haitians in the capital, in Gonaives, Jacmel, St. Marc and in the countryside. The experiences were incredibly formative and rich. Some were delightful, some were quite painful but they all left an indelible impression on me.
The news that we are now getting out of Haiti is indeed very sad. Once again this poor country has been hit with tragedy – this time in the form of a massive earthquake whose epicenter was close to the capital of Port Au Prince.
Because of the lack of communication systems, the rest of world is only just starting to get reports of the nature and extent of the damage; it seems to be pretty devastating.
If one were Haitian it would seem fair to wonder why so much travail and hardship is 'dumped' on this island and its people. Already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere it has suffered from innumerable hurricanes, political violence, corruption, deforestation, over population and a litany of other ills that would break most people’s spirits or beliefs. Now they are faced with rebuilding their lives and homes after the worst earthquake in the region in 200 years. It seems hard to understand how anyone could suffer so greatly and still go on.
And yet the Haitian spirit seems irrepressible. These are lovely people who have faced adversity countless times but keep smiling and persevering. They will survive and they will rebuild. Ask a Haitian "comment ou ye?" (how are you?) and the most likely answer will be "map debat" (I am getting by). They have an uncanny knack for survival and good humor and good grace but certainly could use any help that we can give them in this dark hour.
Personally and through LaDifférence, we will extend financial assistance to Haiti to assist in relief work and to help rebuild this island nation. There will be many outlets for providing support; we only ask that you donate to established, reputable organizations, such as the Red Cross, Oxfam. The Huffington Post is providing lists of ways we all can help, and they will be updating the list regularly. We hope you will help us show support to this country of survivors.
My heart goes out to Haitian friends from years gone by – William, Lionel, Luckner, Francois, Jean-Jacques, to their families and to so many more. "Monsieur et madame, m’pense ampil d’ou jodi a."
For La Diff the news of the earthquake yesterday, January 12th, is close to home in many ways. La Diff is celebrating our 30th anniversary this year and it was Haiti that spawned our creation in 1980. Our very name, LaDifférence, comes from Haiti’s national slogan – Haiti, Vive La Différence.
From 1978 – 1980 I lived in Port au Prince and created an export business handling handicrafts, artwork, rugs, and the like. We worked with hundreds of Haitians in the capital, in Gonaives, Jacmel, St. Marc and in the countryside. The experiences were incredibly formative and rich. Some were delightful, some were quite painful but they all left an indelible impression on me.
The news that we are now getting out of Haiti is indeed very sad. Once again this poor country has been hit with tragedy – this time in the form of a massive earthquake whose epicenter was close to the capital of Port Au Prince.
Because of the lack of communication systems, the rest of world is only just starting to get reports of the nature and extent of the damage; it seems to be pretty devastating.
If one were Haitian it would seem fair to wonder why so much travail and hardship is 'dumped' on this island and its people. Already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere it has suffered from innumerable hurricanes, political violence, corruption, deforestation, over population and a litany of other ills that would break most people’s spirits or beliefs. Now they are faced with rebuilding their lives and homes after the worst earthquake in the region in 200 years. It seems hard to understand how anyone could suffer so greatly and still go on.
And yet the Haitian spirit seems irrepressible. These are lovely people who have faced adversity countless times but keep smiling and persevering. They will survive and they will rebuild. Ask a Haitian "comment ou ye?" (how are you?) and the most likely answer will be "map debat" (I am getting by). They have an uncanny knack for survival and good humor and good grace but certainly could use any help that we can give them in this dark hour.
Personally and through LaDifférence, we will extend financial assistance to Haiti to assist in relief work and to help rebuild this island nation. There will be many outlets for providing support; we only ask that you donate to established, reputable organizations, such as the Red Cross, Oxfam. The Huffington Post is providing lists of ways we all can help, and they will be updating the list regularly. We hope you will help us show support to this country of survivors.
My heart goes out to Haitian friends from years gone by – William, Lionel, Luckner, Francois, Jean-Jacques, to their families and to so many more. "Monsieur et madame, m’pense ampil d’ou jodi a."
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